Caribou Digital Launches New Book, The Platform Livelihoods Project: Research Exploring the Workplaces of the Digital Age in Africa & Indonesia

This pioneering research, conducted in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation explores the pervasive digital workplace landscape in Africa and Indonesia. The research reveals the scale of dependency millions of Africans have on digital marketplaces for their livelihoods, where 27% of Kenyan farmers claim to use Meta (Facebook) to sell information and buy produce. In examining marginalised groups, people with disabilities shared in-depth accounts of challenges faced with their user experience, such as a lack of screen-reading technology for the visually impaired, inhibiting full participation. Caribou Digital calls for better governance and inclusivity for Africa’s digital marketplace to ensure it unlocks its projected reach of $72 billion by 2026.

The rise of Gen Z means a rethink of permanent employment is on the horizon

We are witnessing a clash between businesses pushing for in-office work and Gen Z workers who prioritise flexibility, environmental consciousness, and inclusivity. Even remote-working advocate, Zoom, has demanded that those within 80km of the office need to work in-person twice a week. As Gen Z becomes the dominant demographic in the future workforce, project-based independent contracting and remote collaboration are gaining popularity as preferred modes of work. Gary Silbermann, Co-Founder & Innovation Director at One Degree shares that there doesn’t have to be an ongoing battle between C-suites and younger workers.